Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
17 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo iStock
Africa Reparation Hub Launch 2024
Join us as we unite to confront the challenges of our past and pave the way for a more just and equitable future for all Africans.

The Department of Public Law at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Law is proud to announce the launch of the UFS Africa Reparation Hub alongside a colloquium centred around the theme Unifying Africa for Action to Advance Reparatory Justice.

Date: 6 June 2024

Time: 11:00-16:00

Venue : Microsoft Teams; join the event here

Click to view documentClick here to RSVP and here for more information and speakers.

The pursuit of reparations for historical and contemporary injustices in Africa has gathered significant momentum. From the adoption of the African Union resolution advocating a united front to the push for reparations of past atrocities, the continent is asserting its demand for justice. This drive traces its roots back to historical landmarks like the Abuja Proclamation of 1993 and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2001.

Launch of the hub

Aligned with the UFS Vision 130, the university has established the UFS Africa Reparation Hub to serve as a nucleus for frank discussions on Africa's reparations. It houses a comprehensive database of resources on the subject and is poised to host expert groups dedicated to furthering the cause.

The Colloquium

The faculty invites academics, policymakers, human rights advocates, justice professionals, and representatives from international, regional, and national bodies to the colloquium which will precede the launch of the hub. This virtual gathering aims to foster dialogue and action toward reparatory justice in Africa. Thereafter, attendees will witness the official launch of the UFS Africa Reparation Hub, marking a significant step forward in the continent’s journey towards healing and restitution.

Leading voices on reparatory justice

In an eagerly awaited keynote address, Prof Verene Shepherd, the esteemed Director of the Centre for Reparations Research at the University of West Indies, Jamaica, is poised to set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion on reparatory justice. Joining her will be a distinguished line-up of speakers including Prof Serges Kamga (Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS); Martin Okumu-Masiga (Secretary-General of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum); Dr Ahmed Bugri (Senior Expert and Coordinator for Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing at the African Union); and Prof Kula Theletsane (Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Affairs in Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Dr Catherine Namakula, Convenor of the Africa Reparation Hub, is anticipated to moderate the discussion, guiding the conversation towards actionable strategies for advancing reparations and fostering racial healing across Africa and beyond.

News Archive

UFS NWU Intervarsity offers many firsts
2010-08-06

The Intervarsity between the University of the Free State (UFS) and North-West University (NWU) kicked off today.

“We are excited to present the 68th Intervarsity on our Main Campus in Bloemfontein and look forward to a weekend filled with various matches and events,” says Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS.

This year’s Intervarsity is boasting with a few new additions to the programme. “We have invited the other campuses of the NWU to join the Intervarsity and our Qwaqwa Campus was for the first time also involved. The additions to the programme include a major debating championship lead by our Debating Society as well as a Hip Hop event tomorrow afternoon,” says Mr Buys.

According to Mr Buys, this year as many as possible of the residences are involved in sporting events such as soccer, hockey, rugby and netball.

The UFS also made accommodation available to students from NWU in its residences and has re-introduced the Rag-Buddy-bus system to provide transport support to students who are attending private functions in Bloemfontein to ensure their safe return to the campus.

Mr Buys also indicated that: “Intervarsity should be a celebration of all aspects of student life and we aim to increase the variety of programmes and diversity of audiences that participate in our Intervarsity programmes.”

“All our students, staff and members of the public are invited to attend the various events and matches. I encourage you to be proud and worthy ambassadors of the university community,” he says.

Media Release:
Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za 
6 August 2010

 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept